Support Your Employees

During a field study among electricity linemen, we had a long discussion with a head lineman about the importance of mutual support among coworkers. This is how he summed up the role of social support in health, safety and business efficiency: “As a lineman, you have to work in a risky environment. There is the constant presence of electricity around you and the work high up on the utility poles. The work is always done in a team. You can’t just think about your work. You have to talk, coordinate, cooperate, watch your colleague’s work and advise him. To get all of these conditions in place, you have to rely on the other linemen, be on good terms, easily communicate with them and have known them for a long enough time. You have to always keep tabs on them and they must do the same for you. Once these conditions have been met, you’re happy and your job goes beautifully!” Intrigued by his remarks, we pushed the conversation a bit further by asking whether he preferred working with a less experienced lineman or one who is more experienced but harder to get along with.